20/20 MONEY, hosted by Certified Financial Planner and experienced Wealth Adviser Adam Cmejla, aims to bring clarity to financial concepts and strategies that impact optometrists. For more information on the show and on Adam, please visit https://www.integratedpwm.com/
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Finance Compressed Podcasts
Welcome to The Finance Compressed Podcast where we curate, consolidate, and deliver financial and educational content that matters to you in under 15 minutes. If finance is something you'd like to keep abreast with then this is the podcast for you. We cover the following topics: - The U.S economy - Investing - Personal finances - Retirement - Housing and mortgage rates - Financial distress - Small business If you're looking for a resource where you can get your questions answered in less tha ...
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A podcast that delivers business solutions, best practices, government updates, reimbursement advice and more to home medical equipment, complex rehab, home accessibility, mastectomy and women's health providers, as well as orthotics and prosthetics practitioners.
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Finding the right buyer: a PE sale built on trust, not just numbers, with Dr. Adam Bryan
1:15:58
1:15:58
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1:15:58Dr. Adam Bryan shares his journey of transitioning his optometry practice through a private equity sale. He discusses the evolving landscape of optometry ownership, the challenges and opportunities presented by private equity, and the importance of maintaining practice culture during the transition. Dr. Bryan reflects on the decision-making process…
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Embracing vision plans to profitably grow your practice
50:39
50:39
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50:39Dr. Chris Smiley offers a contrarian—but experience-backed—perspective on one of the most divisive topics in optometry today: vision plans. While many private practice ODs are dropping them entirely, Dr. Smiley makes the case that with the right strategy, vision plans can actually be a powerful engine for growth, profitability, and sustainability. …
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The legal side of selling to PE: setting expectations the right way
1:01:32
1:01:32
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1:01:32Let's discuss the legal intricacies of exiting a practice, particularly in the context of private equity transactions. On this episode, David Cohen and I explore the importance of managing expectations for sellers, understanding the valuation process, and the implications of debt and real estate ownership in practice sales. Our conversation emphasi…
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Selling with integrity: Dr. John Abbondaza's journey of ownership up to and through a sale to private equity
1:00:23
1:00:23
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1:00:23Selling to PE can be conflicting for some owners. On this episode, Dr. John Abbondanza discusses the decision-making process, the importance of understanding one's values, and the impact of the sale on his team and patients. The conversation delves into the nuances of private equity in optometry, the significance of communication during transitions…
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Unlocking Lowe’s Pro Benefits: Exclusive Savings for VGM Live at Home Members
13:25
13:25
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13:25Join host Cindi Petito as she sits down with Dennis Henry, Lowe’s National Account Manager, and Drew Aalderks, VGM Live at Home Member Account Manager, to explore the exclusive Lowe’s Pro programs available to VGM members. Discover how to access special discounts, maximize your rewards, and ensure your account is set up for success. Whether you’re …
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Medicare Shared Savings Program Explained: What It Means for VGM Members
13:25
13:25
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13:25In this episode of Industry Matters, Alan Morris, SVP of Strategy at VGM & Associates, and Tyler Coulander, Market Strategy Manager, dive into the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) and its implications for the DME industry. They break down the data, highlight key trends, and share strategic insights into how the evolving healthcare landscape p…
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Hidden financial compression squeezing optometry practices in 2025 (guest appearance on Power Hour)
59:23
59:23
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59:23In this eye-opening episode of The Power Hour, host Eugene Shatsman welcomes back Adam Cmejla, Certified Financial Planner, Founder and Owner of Integrated Planning & Wealth Management, and Host of 20/20 Money Podcast — to pull back the curtain on the relentless “compression” squeezing optometry practices right now. As a reminder, you can get all t…
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From Payroll to People: Let’s Talk HR Solutions
18:15
18:15
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18:15In this podcast, Connectify HR, a trusted vendor partner, shares how they support organizations through informal, no-pressure conversations. Whether you need to brainstorm, ask questions, or simply talk through a concern, they’re here to help. Listen in and learn how Connectify HR is making it easier to focus on the work that truly matters.…
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Is an 8x multiple on a $1M EBIDTA a good deal? A transition convo with Nathan Hayes
1:05:47
1:05:47
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1:05:47Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today's show is Nathan Hayes. In this episode, we discuss the complexities of business valuation and exit planning for optometry practices. We explore the importance of understanding cash flow, market multiples, and the necessity of being exit ready at all times. The conversation delves into the f…
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How OD practice owners should think about long term care insurance with Bryan Langdon, CLU
1:05:12
1:05:12
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1:05:12Long term care (LTC) is a complicated, misunderstood, and emotional topic for any family to discuss. Even if you're a younger listener and think "Oh, this episode isn't applicable to me," I'd still encourage you to give it a listen as the topic of LTC is generational. On today's episode, Bryan and I discuss the basics of what LTC is and what it's n…
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Hidden gems in retirement planning: what practice owners might be missing after the sale with Taylor Schulte, CFP®
50:33
50:33
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50:33Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today's show is Taylor Schulte, CFP®, host of the Stay Wealthy Retirement Show Podcast. In this episode, we discuss the often-overlooked aspects of retirement planning, focusing on the importance of understanding blind spots, the need for purpose in retirement, and the role of community. We explor…
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We’re excited to introduce IM: Unfiltered — a fresh podcast series designed just for our VGM community. 🎙️ Tune in for real conversations around leadership, innovation, and industry buzz, hosted by a powerhouse voice in HME: Lindy Tentinger, President of VGM & Associates. Joining her this week is Ike Isaacson, SVP of Government & Regulatory Relatio…
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A simple strategy to make the pain of quarterly estimates less (emotionally) stressful for optometry practice owners
38:48
38:48
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38:48If you’ve ever wondered how to take some of the emotional sting out of estimated tax payments, this episode is for you. I share a simple yet impactful way to manage your cash flow, a simple formula to help you better estimate your estimated payments, and how to segregate your savings to give you a clearer picture of your cash-on-hand to make your q…
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Lessons from the (former) President of TSO: cooperative strategies to counter PE disruption and empower private practice ownership with John Marvin
1:14:45
1:14:45
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1:14:45My guest today is John Marvin, former President of TSO (Texas State Optical). John joins me to talk about two intertwined issues reshaping private-practice optometry: the accelerating influence of private equity and the growing challenge of recruiting—and retaining—enough ODs to meet patient demand. We explore the cultural and financial trade-offs …
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2024 Books & Benchmarks Report Discussion with Nathan Hayes
1:06:58
1:06:58
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1:06:58Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today's show is Nathan Hayes. Nathan joins me on the show to do a deep dive into 2024's Books & Benchmark's annual report. He shares ranges of the numbers that practice owners should really care about and should be tracking: COGS, non-OD staff expense, Associate OD comp ranges, occupancy costs, an…
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Are Opportunity Zones really an opportunity or is the tax tail wagging the investment dog with Peter Lazaroff, CFA, CFP®
46:11
46:11
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46:11Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today’s show is Peter Lazaroff, CFA, CFP®. Peter joins me to examine whether the much-touted tax benefits of opportunity zones (OZs) justify the risks required, or if investors are letting the “tax tail” wag the investment dog. We cover how OZs work, what the new One BBB Act means for the program’…
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Building my ideal "Frankenstein" practice discourse, 3 important practice metric numbers to focus on, and examples of AI use in practice with Dr. Dodge Perry, OD
1:03:15
1:03:15
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1:03:15Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today's show is Dr. Dodge Perry, OD. Dodge joins me on the show to have an open discussion after listening to my "Frankenstein" episode, which was inspired by him asking me the question "If I could create an ideal private practice, what would go into that decision making process?" We discuss the i…
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What the One Big Beautiful Bill Act means for optometry private practice owners & their financial planning
1:01:59
1:01:59
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1:01:59In this episode of 20/20 Money, I break down some of the most impactful tax and planning changes introduced in the recently passed Big Beautiful Bill Act—Congress’s sweeping update to the tax code that makes many TCJA provisions permanent while adding new wrinkles that matter to private practice owners. Whether you’re thinking about how to reduce y…
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What to Do When Payer Networks Are Closed | HME Contracting Strategies
32:37
32:37
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32:37In this episode, Craig Douglas, SVP of HME, Respiratory, & Wellness at VGM, is joined by Melanie Ewald, VP of Payer Relations and Reimbursement, and Kim Cuce', Director of Business Optimization, to tackle one of the biggest challenges in the HME industry: closed payer networks. They share practical strategies for navigating out-of-network situation…
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5 common decisions that prevent ODs from achieving financial independence
39:30
39:30
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39:30Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money. In the spirit of Independence Day, today’s episode explores a different kind of freedom—financial independence—and the common decisions that often stand in the way of achieving it. I walk through five recurring mistakes I see optometric practice owners make that limit their long-term financial freedom, both p…
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ANOTHER 20/20 Takeover: Your favorite KPIs (and why?!) w/ Drs. Jennifer Stewart, OD & Jeremy Ciano, OD
51:15
51:15
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51:15Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guests on today's show are my two good friends—and successful practice owners—Drs. Jeremy Ciano and Jennifer Stewart, OD. This is another takeover episode, so I'm honestly not sure where they'll take the conversation. The only direction I gave them was the title of the episode, so I'm just as curious as yo…
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SBA Lending Explained: How Financing Can Help Your Business
36:11
36:11
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36:11In this edition of Industry Matters, Tyler Mahncke, SVP of Clinical Mobility & Accessibility with VGM & Associates, engages in a compelling conversation with Gene Richtsmeier, Vice President at Huntington National Bank, and Michael Berling, Vice President, SBA Senior Development Officer at Huntington National Bank. The episode delves into SBA Lendi…
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The delegation journey...and why every practice owner should be on it! with Dr. Michael Neal, OD
49:32
49:32
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49:32Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money. My guest on today’s show is Dr. Michael Neal, OD. Mike joins me on the show to talk about the evolution of delegation as a practice owner—specifically, the journey of learning to trust your team with everything outside of your core revenue-producing activities. We share our own experiences with delegation, wh…
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Navigating Post-Pandemic Healthcare Regulations: Updates & Guidance
16:53
16:53
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16:53Join hosts Ronda Buhrmester and Kim Cuce from VGM as they discuss the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare regulations and policies, specifically for Medicare and other insurance guidelines. This episode covers updates on the five-year rule for patients who initially qualified under pandemic flexibilities, advice on managing pat…
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Using data to determine the best location for your practice with Mike Jorgenson from Carr Healthcare Realty
1:06:14
1:06:14
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1:06:14Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today's show is Mike Jorgenson from Carr Healthcare Realty. Mike joins me back on the show to talk about what goes into a demographics search when evaluating the location of a practice—and he does it from both a cold start as well as existing practice's point of view. We talk about the minimum OD:…
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Navigating Lymphedema Compression Therapy: Compliance, Documentation, and Market Insights
36:31
36:31
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36:31During this episode of the Industry Matters podcast, Ronda Buhrmester, Senior Director of Payer Relations and Reimbursement at VGM & Associates and Noel Neil, Chief Compliance Officer at ACU-Serve, delve into the complexities of lymphedema compression therapy as a DME benefit. They discuss essential compliance and documentation requirements, market…
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The power of community, stopping the "race to the bottom," educating ODs on practice affordability, discussing the Associate OD shortage, and more with Dr. Mick Kling, OD
44:24
44:24
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44:24Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today’s show is Dr. Mick Kling, OD. Mick joins me back on the show to talk about the power of community within the profession and how optometrists can avoid the “race to the bottom” when it comes to pricing by focusing on delivering and communicating value to their patients. We also discuss how to…
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From blank to bank: How a $35 lens becomes a $525 sale by finishing in-house with Dr. Mike Satryan, OD
1:04:06
1:04:06
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1:04:06Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money. My guest on today's show is Dr. Mike Satryan, OD, a partner with Mountain View Eye in Altoona, PA. Mike is a long-time practice owner who brings over 25 years of experience running an in-house optical lab within their practice. We dive into the substantial cost savings his practice has realized by finishing l…
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The home loan balancing act: smart mortgage moves for optometry practice owners with Lee Raykovicz, OD
1:06:38
1:06:38
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1:06:38Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today's show is Lee Raykovicz, OD, a mortgage broker with Go Rascal Mortgages. On today's episode we dive into what goes into the mortgage underwriting process, how practice owners can get creative when it comes to purchasing their homes, the details on what Physician loans actually are and how th…
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REWIND: 3 financial lessons learned from my grandpa and grandma that can shape your relationship with money
33:10
33:10
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33:10Welcome to this REWIND episode of 20/20 Money! Given that my grandpa just recently celebrated his 96th birthday, I wanted to bring back this episode and share it again for new and long-time listeners alike. It's also a subtle reminder about the importance of understanding longevity risk in one's financial plan. I can only imagine the unfortunate si…
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Schedule management, pre-appointing, & the importance of listening to your practice w/ Dr. Chris Wolfe, OD
39:22
39:22
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39:22Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today's show is Dr. Chris Wolfe, OD. Chris joins me back on the show to talk about why it's important to be intentional about the business decisions you make in your practice and make those decisions based on data and a plan. We talk about this concept through the lens of schedule management and h…
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5 Pillars of Wound Care: Building the Referral Base
19:40
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19:40In the 5th episode of the “5 Pillars of Wound Care” series, Heather Trumm, Partner Account Manager with VGM & Associates, and Amanda Smithey, Senior Manager, Advocacy and Strategic Partnerships, HME Division with McKesson, explore strategies for building your referral network using your existing referral base and patient population. The episode als…
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Increasing optical sales using influential communication with Kayla Ashlee (live on location from BCDO)
1:04:28
1:04:28
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1:04:28Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today's show is Kayla Ashlee. Kayla joins me on the show to discuss how the communication cues (or miscues) that unknowingly are happening in your office can be both positively or negatively impacting your patient experience and thus influencing the buying decisions of your patients. She shared ex…
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In this edition of Industry Matters, we learn about "So Every BODY Can Move," an initiative to create equitable and life-changing access to prosthetic and orthotic care for physical activity. Nikki Grace, Director of OPGA, interviews Nicole Ver Kuilen, Director of Impact Campaigns for the Amputee Coalition and Campaign Lead for "So Every BODY Can M…
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Let's RAGE!!! (a Rant Against Growth Excuses) with Nathan Hayes
1:08:46
1:08:46
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1:08:46Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today’s show is Nathan Hayes with Books & Benchmarks and IDOC. On this show, Nathan and I RAGE!! That's right, we Rant Against Growth Excuses. We talk about the common headwinds, obstacles, and challenges that we both hear when talking with practice owners...and how to think about solving those is…
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In the 4th episode of the “5 Pillars of Wound Care” series, Heather Trumm, Partner Account Manager with VGM & Associates, and Amanda Smithey, Senior Manager, Advocacy and Strategic Partnerships, HME Division with McKesson, delve into the essential training for HME staff in wound care. This episode covers what a comprehensive training program would …
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Innovations in High Flow Therapy: Asymmetric Cannula
11:26
11:26
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11:26In this episode, Zach discusses the straightforward integration and significant benefits of high flow therapy using an asymmetric cannula with patients. He suggests starting with patients who are non-compliant with other therapies, highlighting the ease of implementing a Duet cannula for those already using high flow setups. Join Boone and Zach for…
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Live from NSUOCO: Top 10 Tips for (Financial) Success for Optometrists
1:18:10
1:18:10
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1:18:10Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! This week's episode is the recording of my presentation at NSUOCO, titled "Top 10 Tips for (Financial) Success for Optometrists." Over the course of the year, I'm privileged to present in front of a variety of optometry schools' private practice clubs and classes. The purpose of the presentation is to help OD…
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In this edition of Industry Matters, Shelby Graveman, Sr. Director of Customer Success at VGM & Associates, interviews Kyle Neese, Sr. Account Executive at ACU-Serve. Together, they explore the hottest topics in the HME industry, offering insights on how providers can effectively navigate daily challenges. They discuss the essential resources ACU-S…
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My Frankenstein practice: how I would assemble the perfect optometry practice
1:00:11
1:00:11
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1:00:11Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! What would I do if I were starting an optometric practice from the ground up? A listener posed the question—and I went deep. In this episode, I walk through everything from choosing the right location (hint: geography is everything) to building the skills that matter most when you’re just getting started. We …
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5 Pillars of Wound Care: The Right Partnerships
14:55
14:55
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14:55In the 3rd episode of the “5 Pillars of Wound Care” series, hosts Heather Trumm, Partner Account Manager with VGM & Associates, and Amanda Smithey, Senior Manager, Advocacy and Strategic Partnerships, HME Division with McKesson, dive into the essentials of establishing effective vendor partnerships. They explore strategies for simplifying the proce…
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Navigating Healthcare: DME Strategies for Modern Challenges
21:41
21:41
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21:41In today's episode of Industry Matters, Alan Morris, SVP of Strategy, VGM & Associates, and Tyler Coulander, Market Strategy Manager, VGM & Associates, explore key trends, from improving access to care and addressing staffing shortages to adapting to shifting consumer preferences, and financial pressures. Gain valuable insights and strategies to na…
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Can we PLEASE agree on some numbers (and the KPIs that influence them)??
39:17
39:17
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39:17Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! In this episode, we tackle the confusion around key financial numbers in your optometric practice and why it’s critical to have a common understanding of their definitions. From gross COLLECTED revenue, cost of goods sold, and net operating income, we explore the most important KPIs that influence your bottom…
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Exploring Upcoming Changes in Ventilator Coverage for COPD Patients
59:07
59:07
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59:07In today's episode of Industry Matters Boone Lockard, VP of Clinical Services; Ronda Buhrmester, Sr Director Payer Relations & Reimbursements; Zach Gantt, CEO, Encore Healthcare; and Ray Gregg, VP of Sales and Business Development, Encore Healthcare; dive into the latest updates on the National Coverage Determination (NCD) for ventilators, focusing…
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An update on Taxes 101: Understanding tax brackets, deductions, and credits for optometric practice owners
48:38
48:38
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48:38Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! In today’s episode, we’re diving into the details of your tax return—beyond just whether you got a refund. We’ll break down the difference between deductions and credits, how our tax brackets work, why you should focus on Line 24—your total tax paid—instead of Lines 34 or 37, and what Line 38 might be telling…
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5 Pillars of Wound Care: Developing Surgical Dressings Program
22:52
22:52
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22:52In the second episode of the “5 Pillars of Wound Care” series, Heather Trumm, Partner Account Manager with VGM & Associates, and Amanda Smithey, Senior Manager, Advocacy and Strategic Partnerships, HME Division with McKesson, return to delve into the development of your surgical dressings program. They cover essential components such as the Surgica…
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Redefining Respiratory Care with React Health CEO, Bill Shoop
17:45
17:45
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17:45In this episode of the Industry Matters Podcast, Respiratory Edition, we welcome Bill Shoop, CEO of React Health, and Boone Lockard, VP of Clinical Services. They discuss the significant progress React Health has made over the past 12 months, addressing common misconceptions, company growth, and their unique culture. Learn about the enhancements to…
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The Art of Delegation from a practice owner's perspective with Dr. Ted McElroy, OD
58:05
58:05
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58:05Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today’s show is Dr. Ted McElroy, OD. Ted and I share in a conversation that's on the heels of a 2 hour CE session I did at SECO 2025, which was titled The Art of Delegation. We talk through why practice owners get stuck on delegation, ways to think about becoming more comfortable delegating, the t…
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Policy and Progress: DME Relief, Tariffs, Titanium Carbon, and Advocacy
23:30
23:30
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23:30In today's episode of Industry Matters, Ike Isaacson, SVP of VGM Government & Regulatory Relations, breaks down the latest developments in government policies affecting the DMEPOS industry and how the VGM Government Relations team is leading the charge in ensuring the industry's voice is heard.By VGM & Associates
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The difference between saving vs deferring taxes
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47:56In this episode, we break down the common misconception that tax deferral is the same as tax savings—spoiler alert: it’s not. We discuss how strategies like funding retirement plans, loss harvesting, and depreciation only push taxes into the future, while true tax savings come from tools like QCDs, business deductions, and Roth account growth. We e…
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